Baker schools superintendent announces more layoffs

BAKER- Superintendent Herman Brister Sr. says nine more teachers and staff have been laid off from the Baker School System.

The new layoffs make a total of 20 employees let go since Brister took over as superintendent in May. Thirty-one vacant positions also have been eliminated.

After Tuesday's school board meeting, Brister said he expects no more employees or positions to be eliminated during the 2015-16 school year.

In another anticipated cost-saving measure, Brister announced he will not reinstate the district maintenance department. The department and the position of maintenance supervisor were eliminated by former Superintendent Ulysses Joseph in April after Emmitt Whitfield, who had held the position, was arrested in the theft of at least $130,000 from the district using a credit card.